Chapter 2: Inn of the Last Home

Chapter 2: Inn of the Last Home

 

Finally, after five hours hard ride, they arrived at the Inn of the Last Home.  Dyorn sighed and announced, “Here we are.”

“Are you sure?  This place looks just like the others.”

“Trust me, this is the correct place, I’ve traveled here many times.”  They walked in, and Dyorn approached the innkeeper.  “Good keep, my wife and I are out enjoying the country, we have been on the road for twelve days, is it possible that we get a room?”

The keep looked at him, and then nodded.  “Quite so good sir, we have two rooms left.   Will you and your wife be bedding together or separate?”

Lyra made her way next to Dyorn.  “Together.”

The keep looked her over, and then nodded.  “All right.  It shall be ten gold a day for the room, pay after your stay.”

“Thank you very much.”  Dyorn said.  “We are quite famished, and parched, will you send someone over towards us to take our order?”

The keep handed Dyorn the key to the room.  “Yes sir, someone shall be with you soon.”

Dyorn pocketed the key, and followed Lyra to a table.  A serving wench promptly approached them.  “What can I get you two?”

“Veal and an ale for me.”  Was Dyorn’s answer.

“The same for me as well, please?”

The wench nodded and made her way off.

“Well, Lyra, lets hope she doesn’t spill my ale on me.”  Dyorn chuckled, having vowed never to let her live that mistake down.

Lyra blushed then laughed.  “One mistake and you will not let me live it down will you?”

“Nope.”  The wench returned with the ale, and set both mugs on the table.  “Thank you.”

“You are welcome.  I shall return with your meal shortly.”

“That is fine.”  Dyorn sipped his ale as the wench walked off.

Lyra then sipped hers.  “How long will we stay here before we are recognized?”

“About a week, then we shall have to leave.”

“Are you sure?”

“Quite sure, hardly anyone travels out here, and news travels slow.”

The wench returned quicker than expected, and set the veal in front of them both.  “Thank you.”  Was resounded from both Lyra and Dyorn.  The wench bowed and walked off.  Dyorn was the first to take a bite, then looked to Lyra.  “Don’t worry, the lake is not far from where we are now, we will get enough rations to last us the rest of the trip after our rest.”

“I hope we do, Dyorn.  I hope we do.”  They both ate in relative silence, only speaking when spoken to, or commenting about the inn.

After the meal, they went to the room and Dyorn sat in a chair by the fireplace, allowing himself to become comfortable.  He unsheathed his blade, and found his cleaning supplies, then immersed himself in cleaning, and sharpening, his weaponry.

Lyra, on the other hand, walked around restlessly.  “Does this all seem strange to you Dyorn?”

“How so?”

“All of this, the room, the food, the ale.  All of it.”

“You are just worried Lyra.  Calm down.  We will be all right for the predicted week.”  Dyorn could not help but chuckle about how much she worried about every little detail.

“Yes, I suppose you are right.  I am just making enemies that do not exist.”  She sighed.  “This still seems all to damn strange.”

“Do not worry.”

“All right, I will try.”  She settled down on the bed, after stripping down to a tunic of Dyorn’s.

“Get some sleep love, I shan’t be far behind.”  Dyorn had already stripped off his boots and trousers, keeping his shirt, and under garments on.

Lyra laid down on one side of the bed.  Dyorn hid his Dark Blade under the bed, and put his Broad Sword next to the bed on his side.  He sat down, and then laid next to Lyra.  “We have a full week to plan our arrival, and actions when we get there.  We will worry about that tomorrow.”  Lyra nodded, and then put her arms around Dyorn, falling into sleep very quickly.  Dyorn entwined the fingers of his right and her left hand together, and fell asleep soon after.

 

The night was at its peak, and the keep was busy in the kitchens.  “Was that who I think that was?”

“Depends on who you think it was.”

“Was that Dyorn?”

“It looked like him.”

“Then the lady with him must have been Lyra.  There is no doubt about that.  Her beauty outlasts the stories that I have heard.”

“That is certainly true, that is true.”

The wench that served Lyra and Dyorn approached the keep and the chef.  “What are you two talking about?”

“The two that came in at midday.”

“What of them?”

“That was Dyorn and Lyra Andros.”

“No way!  That couldn’t have been them.  They looked to damn ragged to be Emperor and Empress of Dragonia.”

“They have been traveling for twelve days, what do you expect?  They can’t look the same as if they had been in the legendary Castlelake for that time.”

The wench thought of that, and then nodded.  “I guess you are right.  How long do you think they are staying?”

“Anywhere from three days to a week is my guess, what about you Chef?”

“I say a week to two weeks.”

The wench thought for a second.  “I think that it will only be a week, but who knows?  When they leave are we going to provide them rations for the rest of their trip?”

“If they tell us where they are going, and how they are going then we will.”

The wench nodded.  “Well, shall we begin on the morning meal, or try to get a little bit of sleep before?”

“Sleep first, worry about the meal later.”

The chef and wench nodded and walked to their dorms talking quietly with each other.  The keep, on the other hand, went back behind the counter and looked over his records of the people in the inn.

 

Dyorn awoke with a yawn that shook the mug on the table.  Lyra was already up, cleaned, and dressed in new garments.  “Good morning love.”

Dyorn looked to he and smiled.  “Good morning.  Wait a few minutes for me to clean up.”  He got up, and walked off to clean himself up.

Ten minutes passed before Dyorn returned with a towel wrapped around his waist.  He slipped on a clean, gold silk shirt, and clean undergarments.  Finally he put on a new pair of black trousers, and tied up his boots.  “Ready to begin planning?”  He had strapped his Dark Blade and his Broad Sword onto his belt after he said that.

Lyra nodded.  “Let’s eat first.”

“I agree.”  They walked down the stairs to the front of the inn.  They both ordered their meal, and found a seat.  Dyorn was the first to notice the weird looks the keep, and wench from the night before were giving them.  “Lyra, dear, is it me or did the keep look at us strangely?  Like he was trying to picture us as someone?”

“I do not know what you mean Dyorn, he looked at us the same way yesterday.  The way a tender looks at a resident drunk that he knows he will spend every last gold to get a drink.”

“I guess you are right.”  He sighed, realizing he was just creating an enemy that does not exist.

“Should we tell the keep who we are?”  Lyra stopped short, and didn’t let Dyorn answer.   The wench brought the food.  “Thank you.”  The wench nodded, and walked off. 

Dyorn started eating.  “We should, but no use losing the morning meal over it love.”

“I guess, we have to think though, Dyorn.  If they know, then we might as well say it.”

“I guess you are right, I’ll say something tomorrow.”

“All right.”  They both finished eating in silence.  When they finished eating they began their planning.

“I think this would be the most effective to successively complete this task, I get the attention of his minions and what have you, and you go in for the kill.”

“What do you mean ‘go in for the kill’?”

“You have one chance to throw your dagger, and hit Brell.  If you miss, then our quest will fail, and we shall surely die.”

“One chance?”  She sighed, but knew she could do it.  “Ok, I think I can handle that.”

“I know you can handle it, I have faith in you.  Even if my council does not.”

Lyra smiled.  “Thank you Dyorn.  Are you sure that you can handle his minions?  He has demilichs and ogres and, worst of all, rumor has it he has a gold dragon under his control.”

“Demilichs, I am a little worried about, ogres and dragons I have no fear of.  Little does he know the extent of my skills.  He claims he is the best warlock in the kingdom, but I know that as false, I believe that Kagain would be second best, and I would be first.”  A grin crossed his face.

“You mean you have a mastery of magic?  One that compares to Kagain?”

Dyorn nodded and smiled at the surprised look on her face.  “You’ll learn a lot more about me when we return to the castle love.”

"Oh really?  Well, I do not know if I can wait that long, but I have to do I not?"  Seeing Dyorn nod, she sighed.  "Oh, well, gives me something to look forward to when we return, besides out feast with Gorec."

Dyorn added another nod.  "I cannot wait until I have more familiar soil under my boots."

"I certainly agree with that."  She smiled.  "I'll be up in the room, waiting for you to return, but you had better tell the keep before you do anything else."

"All right, I shall."  Lyra kissed him lightly on the lips before heading up to the room.  As she left Dyorn approached the counter, and looked to the keep.  "I have something that I must tell you."

"What would that be sir?"

"Well...” He stopped, and pondered the best way to say who he was.  No better way than straight out he thought.  "My name is Dyorn Andros, and hearing that you might have guessed that my wife is Lyra Andros."

The keep chuckled a bit.  "My lord, I had guessed that the first night you arrived, though tales of your wife's beauty hardly do her justice."  He bowed behind the bar.  "My name is Hyleith, and it is a great pleasure to meet you, sire."

"Please, call me Dyorn."  He looked at Hyleith.  "You had guessed that my first night here?"  Seeing him nod, he sighed.  "Why did you not say anything to me?"

"Well, I figured you did not say your name because you wanted some privacy, and I was not completely certain."

"I see.  I was wondering if you would do my wife and I a great favor when it comes time for us to leave."

"What would that be?"  Hyleith questioned, a bit of excitement in his voice, he thought it a great honor to be able to help the king.  "Anything between these four walls is what I have to offer."

"I am very glad to hear that.  My wife and I are on a journey, which will take about ten days to complete, that is including the journey back here.  Will you supply us with rations, and fresh horses?"

Hyleith thought about that for a moment, and hid a grin to himself.  "I shall, but might I inquire on where your journey will take you?"

"You may. We are going to the Lake of the Dead."

"The what!?!  Lake of the Dead!  You cannot be serious.  You go there, you will most certainly be killed!"

Dyorn rolled his eyes, and shook his head.  "We will not be killed, I guarantee that, and we have reason for traveling there, which I cannot say."

He nodded.  "When will you be leaving?"

"About three to five more days."

He nodded again.  "I will warn the chef."

"Thank you, Hyleith, you are a good man."  Dyorn turned, and headed up to his room.

"And you, my king, are a stupid man."  He chuckled evilly, and went to the back, having to close for the night.

 

After closing, Hyleith secretly made his out, and went to Kagain's hideout.  "Kagain, I have excellent news."  He bowed to the floor when he came upon him.

"What would your 'excellent news' be?"

"Dyorn and Lyra Andros are at my inn."

"That is excellent, are they dead?"

"No sire, they are not.  They are headed to the Lake of the Dead, I figured that Brell would like to have a bit of fun."

"Well, at least I know that he got my letter, and was quick to act."

"They will be leaving in about three to five days, to set out for Brell, I am supplying rations for their trip there, and back; if they make it, which I am sure they will not, and fresh horses."

"Good, well I shall have them leave in a hurry.  They will be out of your way tomorrow.  JACE!"

Jace hurriedly ran to Kagain, bowing to the floor next to Hyleith.  "Yes sire?"

"You are to follow Dyorn and Lyra to the lake. I shall provide you with a messenger to report back to me when they arrive there.  If you botch this task, then I shall see to it personally that you die, understood?"

"Yes sire, understood."

"Dismissed."  As Jace left, he turned to Hyleith.  "Return to your inn, and do not hint to them anything."

"Yes sire."  Hyleith quickly ran back to the tavern, turning in for the night.

 

Dyorn pushed open the door to his room, and quickly closed it trying to be quiet, seeing Lyra lying on the bed, in what seemed like a deep sleep.  He began to get ready, when he saw that Lyra was not asleep but awake, with a small smile on her face.  "Well, I see why you were waiting for me."  He smiled, and approached her, holding her close to him, and kissing her gently.

She smiled, returning his embrace, and kiss.  "I almost gave up on waiting for you my dear."

"Well, I am very glad that you didn't."  He lay next to her and kissed her lovingly.

 

The night faded into day, Dyorn was the first to rise, the first rays of sunlight touching his face; his black hair tinted red for a moment.  He glanced over to Lyra, a smile on her face.  He could not help but grin; she looked so angelic in her sleep.  He stood, and washed off, getting dressed, and reviewing is plans, and his conversation with the keep.  There was something odd about the way he acted; he just couldn't place a finger on it yet.

"You seem troubled."

Shaken from his thoughts, he turned to see Lyra, wrapped in a robe.  "I had a conversation with the keep, and he seemed a bit...glad that we were going to the lake."

She kissed him softly.  "Do not trouble yourself, you are more than likely mistaken, the keep seems like a good man."

"You are right dear.  It still troubles me that Kagain escaped, and has tried to kill us once.   I am just afraid that our new friend is associated with him in some way."

"Impossible, even though Kagain lives, he would not dare stay this close to the castle, he has too much at stake."

"True, shall we go for a walk?"

"Sounds like the perfect way to start the day, let me wash up first."  She was quick to wash, and dress.  When Dyorn finally dressed, they set out, not before Dyorn strapped his Dark Blade to his belt.

The forest was the perfect place for a stroll, the leaves on every tree where starting to change, the first sign autumn was near.  The early light basked everything in an orange unnatural glow, which made the whole forest seem as if it radiated its own light.  It’s own magic.  Dyorn and Lyra got halfway through the forest before they turned, and headed back to the inn.  When they stepped out of the forest, they saw that dusk was upon them.  "A full day in the forest.  I never would have guessed we spent that much time in there."

"The pure beauty of the forest made it seem as time itself slowed only for us, so we could marvel at it."

"As I marvel at your beauty."  Hearing that caused Lyra to blush.

"Must you always flatter me Dyorn?"

Dyorn acted like he had to think hard about that, causing a playful punch in his arm.  "Of course dear, what else can I do?"

Lyra said nothing until they stepped into the inn.  "You can do a lot more."  She grinned to him.  They found a table, and ordered a slightly larger meal, having only eaten the sparse berries and mushrooms in the forest, they were quite hungry.  Having eaten in silence, broken only by an occasional comment, they went back to their room, and readied themselves for bed.

Yawning, they both got into the bed, wrapping their arms each other’s arms until they fell asleep.

 

Late in the night, almost dawn, a demilich stepped into the inn, and approached Kyleith. "Where is Dyorn and Lyra?"

"Top floor, third room."  Hyleith did not even look up from his records, as most innkeepers would have if someone came in.  The demilich nodded, and took the ever-winding stairs up to the top floor.

No sooner he came upon the door; he kicked it in, and roared.

Dyorn was the first to wake, and grab his blade, charging the demilich.  He was thrown aside like a bale of summer hay.  He struggled back to his feet, his blade lost under the bed.  "Damn!"  He charged again, throwing punches left and right, only landing a sparse few.  Lyra had awaken by this time, and retrieved her dagger, still acting like she was asleep.

"Dyorn Andros, your death is upon you."  Dyorn's own blade seemed to leap to the demilich, and he felt the cold steel against his neck.  "The true ruler of Dragonia, Kagain Blackturner, has sent me to do what Jace could not do, dispose of you and your wife, the last of the Andros line.”  The blade was raised by his arm, holding for a second.

A second was all Lyra needed, and she threw her dagger.  The demilich turned to her, shock and horror in his eyes.  The dagger had pierced through his neck, and was planted in the wall.  Poison swelled in the creature’s veins.  He took a step, only to stop in mid-step; a blue colored liquid flowing freely from the wound.  They both took the liquid as blood, and wondered if the creature bled to death before the last power of the dagger took effect, death.

A rumbling came from inside the demilich.  Dyorn only had a second to duck behind the bed, taking Lyra with him, before the creature burst apart, bloody parts of what had been a demilich lay strewn about the room from the explosion.

"Holy shite."  Was all Lyra could bring herself to say after the explosion, having been scared out of most language.

Dyorn chuckled.  "That is not what the queen of Dragonia should say."

Lyra playfully punched him in the arm.  "Remember, dear, I was a mercenary before I was queen.  I have not adapted yet."

"As I have seen."

"Why would someone send a Demilich after us?"

"I do not know dear, who would it be that could control a Demilich?"

"Only one person dear."

"Kagain."  They said together.

"Of course, who else would want us dead."

"How did he find out where we were?"

At that question Hyleith showed himself at the doorway, Lyra's dagger in hand.  "Who else but your friendly innkeeper."

"Hyleith!  You work for Kagain?"

"That would be Sir Kagain to you Andros.  As we all know, he is the rightful king of Dragonia."

"That is wrong Hyleith, and you know it.  The Andros line has ruled Dragonia for centuries, the Blackturner line will never rule.  They are all demented, and most importantly evil!"

"Oh, but it is you that is wrong Dyorn, the Blackturner line, who has not ruled yet, is closer than ever to ruling all of Dragonia, and finding the hidden passageway to Entantium."

"NO!  That is impossible."

"No, it is possible, and will happen, you shall see."  He turned, and looked over his shoulder.  "Nice dagger you have, good thing I am feeling nice."  He dropped the dagger into the floor.  "And to show I am not truly evil you have rations and fresh horses for when you leave."

"Which will be now."  Lyra and Dyorn both collected their items, Lyra putting her dagger in her boot, and they left, picking up their rations, and leaving the gold for their stay.  They set off, beginning their last voyage on Dragonian soil for a few months.